New Delhi:
Deviating a little from the Centre's script of not taking on Pakistan directly just when Secretary level talks are round the corner, India's junior Defence Minister has termed efforts by Pakistan to curb terrorism as miserable.
Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju said, "I think Pakistan is failing miserably in trying to differentiate or between (like) they are trying to say that there are good terrorists and bad terrorists, which is wrong. I think they have to deal with the entire spectrum of terrorism in an even-handed manner and also Pakistan has to realise that the terrorism they foster affects them as much as it affects to India. And both nation stands to lose."
"Fostering of terrorism from across the border (by Pakistan) was not helping bilateral relations," Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju told reporters on the sidelines of a CII-sponsored naval seminar at the ongoing DefExpo in Delhi.
"I hope the government of Pakistan takes action to contain this (terrorism)," he said. Raju was replying to questions on the increased infiltration by militants into Jammu and Kashmir in the last couple of months and what impact it could have on bilateral relations with Pakistan.
Describing the situation caused by infiltration and terrorism as "unfortunate," he said, "Infiltration by militants from across the border has increased in recent times. But we anticipate an increase every year as the snow melts in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir".
Compared to 2009, the number of militants infiltrating into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistani side has increased in January and February this year, which has been a major concern for India.
Raju refused to comment on a hitherto unknown breakaway faction of the Lashkar-e-Taiba claiming responsibility for the Pune blast.
To a query on the performance of indigenous INSAS rifles, Raju said the weapon system was found to be satisfactory and had been doing well.
The rifle development had also led India to develop its own indigenous carbines, he said.
"However, if there is a need for more specialized weapons, we do go in for imports, as in the case of National Security Guard, for whom we had imported special personal weapons," the Minister said.
On reports of finalisation of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier price after prolonged talks, Raju said he was aware that the discussions were complete, but the Cabinet Committee on Security was yet to decide on the revised price for the warship and hence he would not comment on it.
(With PTI inputs)